Compendium

March 2014, Volume 35, Issue 3

Published by AEGIS Communications

In the middle ground between technique-sensitive traditional approaches and digital impression-taking with an oral scanner is a unique way to create impressions that reduces the frequency with which retraction cord is necessary, thus facilitating easier, precise placement of material. The new product from DENTSPLY Caulk is described by Nicholas R. Conte, DMD, MBA as “a procedural solution to make the overall impression-taking procedure run more smoothly.”

The Aquasil Ultra Cordless Tissue Mana­ging Impression System is a retractionless impression system with digit power™ Dispenser technology. Conte, who is Director, Clinical Research and Education at DENTSPLY Caulk, says the company developed the material-dispensing system in response to feedback indicating dentists’ distaste for the ordeal of retraction cord packing despite their continued desire to use traditional impressioning methods.

Conte says the system achieves the objectives of retraction—creating enough width and volume for the impression material—mainly through its delivery method, a pneumatic handpiece much like a typical dental handpiece with a very fine intraoral tip.

After the dentist has obtained hemostasis, the impression procedure begins with application of a B4® Surface Optimizer to optimize the surface tension on the tooth structure, after which the digit power™ Dispenser is attached to the dental unit to deliver the Aquasil Ultra Cordless Tissue Managing Impression Material directly into the sulcus. Finally, the tray is seated, completing a less stressful experience for both patient and practitioner, Conte says.

“By using pressure on the very fine intraoral tip, the material is pushed out, creating a very runny effect. You are really gaining access because of the uniqueness of how material is being applied into the sulcus,” he explains.

The impressioning method, Conte says, is easily mastered using the system’s familiar type of handpiece and a more natural motion than is used to deliver wash material, either using a 50-ml cartridge dispenser or back-filled disposable syringes. He comments that once clinicians find the correct speed setting or spot where they are most comfortable, they are set to go.

Once practitioners become comfortable with handling the device, Conte says, the company encourages both a tabletop and in-the-mouth demonstration to make sure new users are following proper technique. He reports that customers who need additional instruction can take advantage of a full customer support team, including clinical staff and product experts, all of whom can be reached through DENTSPLY Caulk’s customer service department.

An added benefit of the Aquasil Ultra Cordless system, Conte notes, is that impressions can be scanned because the material contains a high level of titanium dioxide, which laboratories would otherwise need to spray on the impression prior to scanning. “This means dentists who don’t want to make a leap into full digital technology can still have CAD/CAM-designed and -fabricated restorations done by having the laboratory scan the recorded impression,” he says.

Conte repeatedly stresses this system represents an improvement in procedure, not a change in impression material. “This is a simpler, more predictable alternative to cumbersome traditional methods and is more comfortable for patients,” he says. “It makes impression-taking more accurate and reliable, so there are fewer retakes and remakes.”

All stakeholders—clinician, patient, and laboratory—benefit both from the procedure and its outcome, Conte comments. “Dentists don’t have to waste chairtime or material redoing crowns, patients often don’t require anesthetic, and labs receive impressions that are defect-free, enabling their work to be more predictable,” he says.

Conte says he believes there will always be a need for at least some traditional impression-taking and that the current high cost of technology will remain an obstacle to wider adoption of digital impressioning for the immediate future. In the meantime, he says, the improvement in procedure that the Aquasil Ultra Cordless Tissue Managing Impression System provides will play a significant role in impression-taking in dentistry going forward. “This is because we believe we are delivering a better procedure for everyone involved.”